Giannis Antetokounmpo will be out for Greece in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers
The Greece national basketball team will face its upcoming international commitments with a notable absence. Giannis Antetokounmpo will not be part of the national team in the upcoming window of the qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup, where the Greek team will have to face their counterparts from Ukraine and Spain.
The Hellenic Basketball Federation made the news official this Tuesday, confirming that the star player, who has recently begun a new professional chapter after joining the Miami Heat, will not be available to represent his country on this occasion.
A complex challenge for the Greek team
Both the federation and the national team coach, Vassilis Spanoulis, made the necessary arrangements to have Antetokounmpo’s participation, but it has finally been confirmed that his involvement will not be possible. This absence poses a significant challenge for Greece, which finds itself in a delicate position within Group I.
Currently, the Greek team occupies fifth place in their group with a 3-3 record, a situation that forces the team to seek urgent victories to keep their aspirations for direct qualification to the World Cup to be held in Qatar alive.
Giannis’ absence forces the coaching staff led by Vassilis Spanoulis to readjust their strategy and seek immediate tactical variants to face two games that will define the team’s path in the World Cup journey.
Group I Overview
- Spain leads the group with a solid 5-1 record.
- Ukraine and Montenegro remain in the fight with a 4-2 record.
- Greece, Portugal, and Georgia share a 3-3 record.
The Greek team will begin its training camp next Friday, August 14, with its sights set on its two decisive commitments: the first will be on August 28 against Ukraine in the city of Riga, while the close of this window will be on August 31 against Spain, in a match that promises to be fundamental in Athens.
